Studies in First Thessalonians, Video preaching

A fruitful ministry, Pt1

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

Sermon notes

In the first chapter Paul speaks of what he knows of these believers, 1:4. The fruits of grace he sees in their lives convinces him that they are elect of God. He focuses upon the sovereign grace in salvation and what it produces in the lives of sinners.

In this passage he considers a connected issue: what they know by experience of him and his ministry among them. Cp v1, 2, 9, 10, 11.

Having given proper priority to the electing grace of God, he now considers the ministry that God ordinarily uses among men to accomplish His saving purpose. God who sovereignly chooses sinners; chooses the means that He employs in their salvation. It was through Paul and his gospel ministry that the sovereign decree of election was worked out in the lives of these believers.

I   HIS MINISTRY WAS NOT IN VAIN.

  1. Paul came to them. Quite literally, he speaks of his ‘way to them’. The Biblical doctrine of election does not rule out missionary zeal and drive. Cp Acts 17:1. This was the out-working of Paul’s call to preach, Acts 26:18; and the missionary mandate Christ has given to the Church, Mark 16:15.
  2. His ministry among them was not in vain. It was not ‘empty’ but had been successful in the salvation of sinners. Cp Phil 2:15-16. God had purposed to work and by stirring Paul to go to Thessalonica, he was assured of success. There had been real fruit. It is the saving determination of God that produces gospel fruit. Cp Rom 9:16, John 6:44, Matt 19:25. Gospel work may be said to be in vain in various ways. Cp 3:5, Is 49:4, 1 Cor 15:3, 58, Gal 4:9-11.
  3. They knew this. By experience of his ministry these saints had experienced the fullness of Divine grace. They had proved the truth of John 1:16.

II   HIS MINISTRY WAS MARKED BY BOLDNESS IN THE FACE OF CONFLICT.

Cp v2.

  1. Paul preached the gospel of God. Paul came with a Divine message. There is only one true gospel! Cp Gal 1:6-12, 1 Cor 15:3-4.
  2. Opposition to the gospel was widespread and ongoing. He had suffered shamefully at Philippi. He had been exposed to hardships and treated in an insolent, high-handed fashion. Cp Acts 16:22-23. He had also been mistreated even while among them, Acts 17:5-10. Ordinarily these things can make a man’s efforts to be in vain.
  3. He was bold in God to speak. Divine resources are vital to withstanding conflict for the gospel’s sake. Such gospel boldness/frankness/confidence as Paul displayed here is drawn from resources in our God. Where God purposes to save, He enables a man to stand. Cp Acts 18:9-11.

III   THE PRIMARY REASON FOR SUCCESS IN GOSPEL WORK.

In this passage as a whole Paul deals with a variety of facets of his ministry that God had blessed to the salvation of these sinners. All of them flow out of the statement he makes in v4.

  1. Paul was allowed of God…, v4. He had Divine approval for preaching and he preached in a way God approved of. There is a single basis upon which God approves men—in Christ/for Jesus’ sake. Cp Col 4:17, 1 Tim 1:12.
  2. He felt this as a sacred charge. He was entrusted with the gospel. Cp 1 Cor 4:1-2, 1 Tim 1:11, Titus 1:3. He handled gospel treasure (2Cor 4:7) and must do so faithfully/reliably. The very nature of the gospel and the sovereign purposes of God regarding it endued Paul with a tremendous sense of responsibility, Rom 1:14-16. It is no light thing to take up the gospel calling!
  3. He adhered strictly to the Divine mandate.As we were allowed… He preached in a manner God approved of and for this reason his ministry was not in vain.

In this passage Paul gives various specific facets of his preaching but everything is but an instance of the grace of God working out his heavenly calling in a way that pleased God. Because he was allowed of God there were things he did not do; and certain things he did.

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